Individual Choices

On a Saturday afternoon, sunlight streamed through the library's floor-to-ceiling windows, casting warm light spots on the floor. Hanyu Xiuyi sat in a corner, a book open before him, but his gaze was fixed on the outside, his thoughts drifting far away.

Nagumo Miyabi and Ryuen had joined forces. This news weighed on his mind like a massive boulder.

"What are you thinking about?" a voice came from across the table.

Hanyu snapped back to attention and saw Ichinose Honami sitting opposite him. She was wearing casual clothes today, her pale pink long hair casually draped over her shoulders, and she held a thick reference book in her hands.

"Ichinose-san?" Hanyu was somewhat surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"Coming to the library to study," Ichinose said with a smile, gesturing to the book in her hand. "The midterm exam is coming soon, and I need to hurry up and review. What about you? You don't look like you're studying."

Hanyu was silent for a few seconds, then decided to reveal part of the truth. "I've run into some trouble."

"What kind of trouble?"

"Nagumo Miyabi and Ryuen have joined forces."

Ichinose's smile vanished. She put down her book, her expression turning serious. "Are you sure?"

"Sure," Hanyu said. "Someone saw them meet with their own eyes."

Ichinose fell silent. As the Class B Leader, she naturally knew who Nagumo Miyabi was, and she also knew Ryuen's methods. The alliance of these two individuals was a huge threat to any class.

"What do you plan to do?" she asked.

"I haven't decided yet," Hanyu said honestly. "But I want to ask you a question."

"What question?"

"If Nagumo Miyabi came to you to cooperate, would you agree?"

Ichinose was stunned. She stared at Hanyu for a few seconds, then shook her head.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because Nagumo Miyabi's goal isn't to help any particular class, but to establish his own order," Ichinose said. "In his order, we would all become his chess pieces. I'm unwilling to be anyone's pawn."

Hanyu looked at her, his respect for this girl growing even more.

"Thank you for telling me this."

"You're welcome," Ichinose smiled. "Remember, the alliance between Class B and Class D is still in place. If you need any help, feel free to ask me anytime."

She stood up, ready to leave. After taking two steps, she turned back and said, "Hanyu-kun, be careful. Nagumo Miyabi is much more dangerous than Ryuen."

She left, leaving Hanyu alone by the window.

The sunlight was still warm, but his heart felt even heavier.

At the same time, on the third floor of the Boys Dormitory, in Ryuen Sho's Room.

Ryuen sat at his desk, a stack of papers from the USB drive Nagumo had given him spread out before him. A thick pile of printed sheets, densely packed with detailed information on every student in Class D.

He flipped to Yukimura Teruhiko's page, which read:

Yukimura Teruhiko, Class D's de facto leader. Won Five Million Points in a club gamble on his first day, setting a school record. Led Class D to a comeback victory in the Special Exam. Saw through all traps during the Sports Festival, ultimately leading Class D to first place.

Weakness: Overly values companions, easily takes risks to protect others. This can be utilized to set a trap.

Ryuen looked at the text, a sinister smile appearing on the corner of his mouth.

"Overly values companions..." he muttered, "Good. Then I'll make him pay for his companions."

He flipped to the next page, Kushida Kikyo's profile:

Kushida Kikyo, originally an inside informant for Class C, later turned. Gentle on the surface but complex within, with strong insecurity. Her past can be utilized to destabilize her again.

Ryuen's smile deepened. Kushida Kikyo, the woman who betrayed him. If he could win her over again, it would not only strike a blow to Class D but also allow him to vent his anger.

He continued to flip through, page after page. Hirata Yousuke, Horikita Suzune, Sudo Ken, Karuizawa Kei, Yukimura Teruhiko... each person's weakness was clearly written on the paper.

Finally, he flipped to Ayanokoji Kiyonaga's page.

But this page was almost blank, with only one line written:

Ayanokoji Kiyonaga, unknown origin, unknown abilities, unknown weakness. Extremely dangerous, direct conflict is advised against.

Ryuen stared at the line, his brow furrowed.

"Extremely dangerous?" he muttered, "How dangerous can a guy who spends all day reading and never draws attention be?"

But he didn't completely disregard the warning. If Nagumo wrote it, there must be a reason.

He closed the documents, leaned back in his chair, and looked at the Ceiling.

A plan was taking shape in his mind.

In the evening, Kushida Kikyo received Ryuen's Message:

"Eight PM tonight, Old Place. I have something I want to talk to you about. --Ryuen"

She stared at the Screen, her heart racing. Ryuen looking for her could absolutely not be a good thing.

She immediately forwarded the news to Hanyu. A few minutes later, Hanyu replied:

"Go. See what he wants to say. Be careful, and stay in touch at all times."

Kushida took a deep breath and replied, "Understood."

At 8 PM, Kushida arrived punctually behind the Old School Building.

Ryuen was already waiting for her there. He leaned against the wall, holding a beverage can, with his signature dangerous smile on his face.

"You came? I thought you wouldn't dare to."

Kushida tried her best to remain calm, "What do you want with me?"

Ryuen smiled, "Don't be nervous, I won't hurt you. I just want to... chat with you."

He took a step closer, staring into Kushida's eyes, "Do you know, Kushida? You are the most interesting person I've ever met."

Kushida did not answer.

"So perfect, so kind, so likable on the surface. But in reality..." His voice lowered, "Your heart is filled with fear and insecurity. Afraid of being hated, afraid of being abandoned, afraid of being seen for who you truly are."

Kushida's body trembled slightly.

"I know what you're thinking," Ryuen continued, "You think you're safe now that Hanyu and the others have accepted you. But have you ever thought, if one day they find out about your entire past, will they still treat you the same way?"

Kushida bit her lip, remaining silent.

Ryuen took a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to her, "Take a look."

Kushida took the paper. It detailed various incidents from her middle school days—the past she least wanted to mention, the secrets she thought were buried.

Her face turned pale.

"Does Hanyu know about this?" Ryuen asked, "Does Karuizawa know? Does Hirata know?"

Kushida did not answer.

"I guess not," Ryuen smiled, "If they knew, would they still treat you the same way? Or would they look at you with strange glances, like looking at a monster?"

"Enough," Kushida's voice was hoarse.

"Enough?" Ryuen's smile deepened, "Kushida, you and I are the same kind of people. We are both people who live with masks. The difference is, I admit it, while you... you are still lying to yourself."

He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Come back, Kushida. Come back to my side. Here, you don't have to act, you don't have to pretend, you can be your true self."

Kushida lowered her head, silent for a long time.

After a long while, she looked up, looking at Ryuen.

"Ryuen, are you finished talking?"

Ryuen paused.

"If you're done, I'm leaving." Kushida turned to leave.

"Wait." Ryuen called out to her, "Aren't you afraid I'll tell everyone about this?"

Kushida stopped, looking back at him. Moonlight shone on her face, her eyes surprisingly calm.

"I am," she said, "but I'm more afraid of losing everything I have now. Hanyu said that the true me is stronger than the me I pretend to be. Karuizawa said she's also experienced that kind of fear, so she believes me. Hirata said I'm not fundamentally bad."

Her voice grew firm: "You say I'm like you? No, you're wrong. I'm not like you. You chose loneliness; I choose trust. You choose to control others; I choose to be accepted by others."

Ryuen stared at her, the smile on his face finally disappearing.

"So, I'm not afraid of you," Kushida said, then turned and disappeared into the night scenery.

Ryuen stood alone, unmoving for a long time.

Moonlight spilled onto him, and for the first time, a look of confusion appeared on his face.

Nine in the evening, Hanyu Xiuyi's dormitory.

Kushida sat in a chair, recounting everything that had just happened to Hanyu. After finishing, she lowered her head, awaiting his reaction.

"Kushida."

She looked up.

Hanyu looked at her, his eyes calm and warm, "You did very well."

"But... Ryuen has my past..."

"So what?" Hanyu said, "Your past is just a fragment of your life. Can it define the present you?"

Kushida was stunned.

"On the island, you voluntarily came forward to testify; that's the present you. During the Sports Festival, you took out your mobile phone in front of the referee; that's the present you. Just now, you refused Ryuen's attempt to win you over; that's the present you," Hanyu said, word by word, "These are the true you."

Kushida's tears began to fall.

"No matter what Ryuen has, no matter if he makes it public, you are Kushida Kikyo, a member of Class D, and our friend," Hanyu said, "That will never change."

Kushida looked at him, her vision blurred by tears, but a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"Thank you, Hanyu."

"You're Welcome," Hanyu Said. "Go back and get some good rest. Tomorrow, there's still a lot to do."

Kushida Nodded, and Stood Up to leave. When she reached the door, she Looked Back at Hanyu.

"Hanyu, may I ask you a question?"

"What question?"

"Why can you trust people so much?"

Hanyu thought for a moment, then Said, "Because I believe that those who trust others will also be trusted by others."

Kushida was stunned for a moment, then she smiled.

That smile was warmer than ever before.

She pushed open the Gate of Opening and disappeared into the Night Scenery.

Hanyu was Alone in the room. He Walked to the window and gazed at the Moonlight outside.

Ryuen's Offensive was becoming more fierce, but he wasn't afraid.

Because he had people he could trust, and people who trusted him.

That was enough.

Outside the window, the Moonlight bathed the Campus, and Everything seemed so quiet and peaceful.

But he knew, this was just the Calm Before The Storm.

A Greater Storm was approaching.

And he was Ready.